1.4 Report writing 1.4.1 Introduction As technicians you may be called on to produce
a report for a customer. Also, if you are involved
in research of some kind it is important to be able
to present results in a professional way. The fol-
lowing sections describe the main headings that a
report will often need to contain together with an
example report based on the performance testing
of a vehicle alternator.
Laying out results in a standard format is the
best way to ensure that all the important and
required aspects of the test have been covered.
Keep in mind that the report should convey
clearly to another person what has been done.
Further, a ‘qualified’ person should be able to
extract enough information to be able to repeat
the test – and check your findings! Use clear sim-
ple language remembering that in some cases the
intended audience may not be as technically
competent as you are.
1.4.2 Main headings of a report The following suggestions for the headings of a
professional report will cover most requirements
but can of course be added to or subtracted from
if necessary. After each heading I have included
brief notes on what should be included.
Contents If the report is more than about five pages, a list
of contents with page numbers will help the
reader find his/her way through it.
Introduction Explain the purpose of what has been done and
set the general scene.
Test criteria Define the limits within which the test was car-
ried out. For example, temperature range or speed
settings.
Facilities/resources State or describe what equipment was used. For
example: ‘A “Revitup” engine dynamometer,
model number C3PO was used for the consump-
tion test’.
Test procedures Explain here exactly what was done to gain the
results. In this part of the report it is very import-
ant not to leave out any details.
